Chapter 4
Into the Forest
"Well…isn't that just cliche…" Corey grumbled as he and Derek came to a halt and the entrance to the forest.
In front of the trail that leads through the woods, was an ancient wooden sign that read in a demonic language:
"DO NOT ENTER, UNDER ANY CERCUMSTANCES!!!"
The woods themselves were to thick to go through any other way, and Corey and Derek both knew that they had to take this path to get any closer to their goal.
The two friends did not speak of what they had seen after leaving the summit of the mountain, nor did either really want to. What they had seen there both fueled their will to continue, but also falter it. It had greatly depressed both of them, and silently they had decided not to speak of it again…at least not for now. They had other things to take care of.
"So…do we ignore the warning?" Derek asked, looking over at his comrade.
Corey nodded. "Yea. It was probably made by Arthur himself, to scare off any demons that may try to take the ore."
"Yea, but this far off?" Derek had considered the idea, but something about it didn't seem right. How would Arthur have learned the demonic language? Corey had learned it from his old teacher, Yusuke Urameshi, and Derek had known it from Hiei, as well as the bits and pieces he had learned before settling down in Corey's home town.
"At any rate, we don't have much of a choice, do we? This forest stretches on forever, and the map tells us to go this way. We gotta go through!" Corey said. Derek agreed. They really didn't have any other option.
"Okay, we go through, but let's be careful." Derek said, patting the hilt of his katana as he made his way into the forest.
"Right."
As soon as the two had entered the forest, they noticed the change of the air around them. It wasn't demonic or spiritual it was just…off. Corey considered that it might be Darkine's doing, but they both figured out that it still wasn't the same aura as their foe. The woods closed off any light that the sun produced, so Derek had to use his fire techniques to create two torches from nearby branches.
"This place just keeps going, doesn't it?" Corey commented, glancing around. "Creepy thing is…is that it feels alive."
Derek nodded in agreement. "Yes…I noticed that, too. Keep on your guard, Corey."
"Dually noted."
******
Hours passed and there were still no signs of an exit or any kind of light besides Derek's torches. Finally, the two decided to make camp for the night. Neither wanted to spend the night—or it could be the day—in the creepy forest, but they had to conserve their energy, and using his fire techniques for so long was causing Derek fatigue. The odd thing was, is that he should have had more energy then this. Corey was feeling this as well by just walking. The thought of sleep was becoming more and more welcoming with each step, even if it meant staying in the woods.
"Okay…this will work." Derek said as they stepped into a bit of a clearing. One could hardly call it that, since the woods were still just as thick, but there was a bit of space in a circular area around this certain spot, with a large tree in the center.
"You make a fire, I'll unpack." Corey said, and Derek nodded and began to gather firewood. After about ten minutes, they had their camp ready and the dried food out, with some coffee brewing over the campfire. They rarely used the bitter brew, but both knew that they'd have to take turns keeping watch for the night. Neither warrior trusted the woods, and would be ready for anything if something happened.
While eating, Derek noticed Corey staring off deeper into the woods, the same look that he had from a few nights ago.
What is he thinking about so intently? Is he still worried about his strength? Derek had never seen a human advance to the levels Corey had reached. Even when they had first met, when Corey was only fourteen years old, the man had a strong spiritual power. It was far beyond anyone should have had at that age, even if they had been trained.
"Hey, Corey?" Derek asked, trying to liven up his friend.
"Hmm?" Corey glanced over at Derek, his eyes looking as though they had been in deep thought.
"What're you going to do once the war's over?"
Corey blinked a few times, and then laughed shallowly. "A bit early to be thinking about that, isn't it?"
Derek smirked. "Humor me here. You had to have some thoughts about it."
Corey smiled and then began to think. What did he want to do once the war was finish and he didn't have any obligations to fulfill? It was a question that he didn't have the luxury to think about.
"I guess…if I had to do anything, I want to take a trip."
Derek blinked. "A trip? What kind?"
Corey smiled thoughtfully. "Well, ever since I got into this time, I've only been where the Rebel Base has gone. Sure, I've seen some cool stuff, but I just want to travel around the worlds. Hell, I'll probably be able to tell some people that the war is over."
"And then what? Don't you want to settle down…have a family?" The last thing Derek said put a sad smile on his face, and Corey caught on.
"Derek…I already have a family again. You and Liz and Cory…all of you guys, and my friends at the Rebel Army."
"Don't you want to get married?"
"I do…but I'm only twenty years old, for crying out loud!" Corey laughed a little. "I still want to get stronger, Derek. What if someone even worse then Darkine appears? I want to be ready for that, and be able to hold my own."
Derek thought for a few moments, and then smiled towards his young friend. "Corey…I've learned that there is more to life then fighting. You have to know when it's time to stop fighting, and just live peacefully…"
"And do what? Become weak?!" The shout that Corey gave made Derek jump slightly, catching him off guard.
"I don't want that to happen! I don't want to be the weak one, Derek! It's always been my dream to be the best, and you know that! And now look! There are so many people who are fucking better then me. Hell, I used to be stronger then you! But now…now you're way better then I am. Even Garrett got off a lucky punch on me! He caught me off my guard…" His voice trailed off a bit, and he turned away. Derek looked at his friend sadly.
He's been bottling this up the whole time. He's over-exaggerating about a lot of people being better then him. From what I know…the only ones who's energy level is stronger then his own are mine and Darkine's. There may possibly be the Elite's that are stronger then him, but still…
"Corey," Derek said aloud, "You may think your weak, but look at how much you've accomplished in two years. You're by far the strongest human, and easily stronger then most demons. I'm sure if you had been training these past fifteen years…you'd be even stronger then me."
"But that's the point, Derek." Corey said, not looking towards his friend, "I haven't. I was sent through time…too weak to prevent it then, and too weak to fight that bastard now." He sighed quietly and laid on his side, "Sorry about the blow up…do you mind taking the first watch shift?"
Derek nodded. "Sure, man. No problem. I'll wake you up in a couple hours."
"Okay. Night."
"Night, Corey."
******
The first two hours passed without incident. Derek kept a close watch, keeping his back turned from the fire, and only looking back at it to put another log on the flames. He then got up from his spot and gently shook Corey away.
"Switch time." He told his groggy friend. Corey nodded, and rose up, getting a cup of coffee and allowing Derek some rest.
"I'll get you up in another couple hours." Corey informed his friend, who nodded in agreement. After a few minutes, Corey heard Derek's breathing settle, and he knew he was fast asleep. Leaning against the large tree, Corey glanced out towards the thick patch of forestry.
What Derek said was true… He thought to himself as he kept a close eye out. But what good is that? How am I supposed to be able to beat Darkine with my power as it is now? Sure, I will have Derek there to help me, but is that all I'm going to be? Second string?
Corey let out a heavy sigh and took another sip of his coffee. He was still feeling very groggy, and he couldn't understand why. Normally, he was able to wake right up after being on a guard duty, having done it many times before at the Rebel Base.
Could it have something to do with the forest? He wondered, looking out again. I wonder what's out there…
"Power…"
The voice inside Corey's head made him jump up quickly, taking a defensive position.
"Who's there?!" Corey yelled. "Hey, Derek! Wake up!"
"Why wake him up from his sleep? There's really no call for that, is there?" The voice inside his head asked. Corey looked over and saw that Derek hadn't stirred at all...another peculiar thing. Derek had excellent hearing, and woke up normally at the snap of a twig.
"Who are you?" Corey asked, lowering his voice a little.
"A friend…merely a friend. I want to help you, Corey Kartana."
"How the hell could you help me?" Corey asked, his voice getting irritated. "Why don't you come out?"
"Why don't you come to me?" The voice questioned, still in his mind. "I will give you what it is that you desire."
Corey grit his teeth, and his spiritual energy began to rise around him. He wasn't taking any chances, especially with a mysterious voice talking to him in his mind.
"And what is it that I want?" Corey asked curiously.
"Power…"
Before him, as if it had always been there, came a glowing sphere. It was no larger then a softball, but glowed a dim purple color. Even for it's small size, Corey could tell it possessed energy beyond anything he had ever encountered before.
"What…is this?" Corey asked, looking around trying to find the voice, but soon his eyes were once again on the sphere.
"It is called the Power Sphere. It grants the one who takes it power absolute."
"Power…absolute?" Corey seemed unsure. He looked over at Derek, who was still fast asleep. How could he sleep during all of this? The Power Sphere gave off an aura of such extraordinary energy that it would be impossible for anyone with any kind of spiritual awareness to ignore.
"Take it…" The voice said finally. "It's yours, now."
"Mine?" Corey asked unsurely, "Why are you helping me?"
"Because it is what you desire. You want power, so I am giving it to you. Now take it, and claim your rightful position as the most powerful being in all three worlds!"
It seemed way to good to be true. Power absolute? With this thing, he could defeat Darkine, and finally give the peace to the worlds that they deserved.
Slowly, he reached his gloved hand out to take it, inching his way towards the glowing ball of energy.
I can do it! I can beat Darkine! I can save everyone!
Suddenly, before it was just in his grasp, the Power Sphere began to move quickly away.
"H-hey!! Wait!" Corey called out in shock.
"After it, Corey Kartana! You must claim what is yours!" The voice encouraged in his head.
"I know, I know!" Corey took one quick look at Derek, who was still fast asleep. "Shit! No time!"
And in a dead run, Corey took off into the thickness of the woods to catch the Power Sphere, leaving Derek unaware of everything, still fast asleep.
